CADRE Dispatch

Safariland Gravity Paddle Holster for Glock 19 Gen 5

Jason Mosher

The Safariland Gravity is a lightweight, low-cut holster that is approved for competition shooting. Today, we’re taking a close look so you know exactly what you’re buying before handing over your hard-earned cash.

We probably all have a drawer where we toss holsters that didn’t quite work out. It’s a sad, tangled graveyard of nylon and Kydex that we try to forget about. This is the drawer of broken dreams, filled with holsters that promised the world but delivered nothing but discomfort and disappointment.

Use the Gravity holster for competition.
The Safariland Gravity holster is a competition rated holster that also works for everyday carry. Image: Jason Mosher

There’s the one that printed so badly it looked like you were concealing a toaster under your shirt. And that one holster that felt like a medieval torture device after wearing it for five minutes. You can spend a small fortune on holsters, only for them to end up in the drawer.

This isn’t that holster.

My Test Model: Glock 19 Gen 5

The Gravity holster is available for various handgun models, but the one I’m reviewing today is for my Glock 19 Gen 5. Before we get into the details of this holster, I’ll mention that I already like it so much that I’ve started using the Gravity holster for some of my other handguns as well. They even make one for my Taurus G3 T.O.R.O, which is nice because it’s hard to find holsters for that one sometimes.

Gravity Holster: Built for Speed and Competition

I’m not a hardcore competition shooter, but if you are, the Gravity Holster is a solid option. Its low-cut design allows the gun to clear the holster faster — an advantage in competitive shooting where fractions of a second can separate winners from the rest. It’s approved for both IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) and USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) use.

Gravity holster is available for multiple handgun models.
The paddle attachment on the Gravity holster makes it easy to put on, and it’s comfortable as well. (Image: Jason Mosher)

The open-top design has adjustable tension, so you can set it exactly how you like it. I have my holster retention set so that it’s not hard to draw, but it’s snug enough that it won’t fall out. Adjustments are easy and quick either way, using a single adjustment screw.

The trigger guard is fully covered, which is a must for safety and often a requirement for competitions. There is about 13/32″ (0.406″) of clearance for your front sight, so if you’re running taller suppressor-height sights, you’ll have plenty of room.

More Than Just a Paddle holster

The Gravity holster ships with a paddle attachment, which is comfortable for all-day wear and easy to take on and off. But thanks to Safariland’s three-hole pattern, you can swap in other attachments, from belt loops to the QLS (Quick Locking System).

The QLS (Quick Locking System) lets you mount a receiver on a belt or thigh rig and use a “fork” attachment on your holsters. That means you can switch between paddle, low-ride belt, thigh rig, or even plate carrier in seconds, without tools. We have an article all about this system if you want to check it out.

Back side of Safariland Gravity holster, showing mostly the interior side of the paddle. A Glock 19 Gen 5 gun is in the holster, and it's resting on a canvas bag, leaning against a wooden ammo crate.
The three-hole pattern on the Gravity holster allows you to use multiple holster attachments, like the QRS or belt loop attachment. (Image: Jason Mosher)

Although I use this system on most of my holsters, I really like the paddle that comes with the Gravity holster, so I have not changed it.

The Cordura Advantage

One standout feature is the Cordura fabric wrap. Cordura is incredibly durable and resistant to abrasions, tears, and scuffs. I’m a little hard on my gear when I’m out training or on duty, and the Cordura wrap has held up extremely well for me.

Do you have a Cordura holster?
Cordura wrapped holsters are extremely durable and resistant to IR. (Image: Jason Mosher)

The Cordura wrap on the Gravity holster offers another, more surprising advantage, too. It reduces the holster’s infrared (IR) signature. This means it makes your firearm less visible to night vision devices. This is helpful for law enforcement and military personnel, but it’s a feature that anyone may find useful.

It doesn’t make your gun and holster completely disappear, but it does obscure the shape so that it’s much harder to see the shape of a gun and holster under NV.

An affordable, multi-purpose Option

For everyday carry, I use an IWB holster most of the time. But during the winter months, I do switch to an OWB holster because my coat will cover it up. The paddle attachment on the Gravity makes it easy to put on, but keeps the gun against your side and doesn’t move around at all.

For those who do some competition shooting, but also carry a gun for protection, this could be a great multi-purpose holster. It’s affordable, lightweight, and more importantly, it’s comfortable. So, if you’re in the market for a new holster, this is one you should check out.

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